Civics & Democracy

LAist’s coverage of civic life and citizen issues in Southern California. We cover elections, examine who gets listened to and why, and provide a guide for anyone who wants to more fully participate in civic life.

A large neoclassical style building with a black dome and columned pediment at dawn.

Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office rules are stricter than many states, including Texas

California state workers must report to the office four days a week under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom. Other states allow more remote work.

Deadline looms to join LA County’s inaugural Ethics Commission. Here's how to apply

A large building with an entrance sign that reads "Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration."

Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce wants small business owners to know about a new forgivable loan program

People walk down a sidewalk past a building with a mural of Nipsey Hussle and text written over his face that reads "Crenshaw."

Lawyers are teaching immigrants at Adelanto how to challenge their own detentions

In primetime speech, Trump doesn't provide evidence for illegal voting

More Stories

The use of force has become a 'default tool' for ICE officers, a new report finds

An ACLU report looks at widespread use of force in immigration enforcement in the first year of President Trump's return to office.

Listen 3:48
Irvine puts ranked-choice voting on the November ballot — with a caveat

City Council members were concerned over how much it would cost for Irvine, which has a growing deficit.
Californians may get a new way to sue big companies. Some Democrats are nervous

Some Democrats are leery about stifling business if Californians are allowed to sue corporations over monopolization
Trump will speak on elections in Thursday primetime address

The speech comes as President Donald Trump has escalated calls for Republicans to pass tighter federal voting rules.
What measures will be on the LA County ballot in November? Here's what we know

There are expected to be at least two countywide ballot measures, plus a swath of additional measures for the city of L.A.
Should LA County rename places honoring César Chávez? Take the survey

Residents can take an anonymous survey on whether streets, parks, buildings and other public places bearing Chávez's name should be renamed.
A year after mass raids, activists in the Central Coast protest ongoing detentions

In Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, community members pledge to continue helping their neighbors.
Some critics in LA say FIFA sponsors 'sportswashed' the World Cup and betrayed the city’s values

Protesters rallied against Hyundai-Kia, the Home Depot and Aramco during the tournament. They called for more support for the workers who make big events possible.
CalPERS just had one of its best years in a decade. Why it matters to taxpayers

CalPERS’ investment returns determine whether government agencies — and taxpayers — have to kick in extra money to cover losses at the pension fund.
States sue to stop Paramount-Warner Bros blockbuster merger

California is among the states suing to block Paramount from buying Warner Bros. Discovery in a Hollywood mega-merger.

Listen 3:54
Authorities seized dozens of drones in LA during the World Cup. One was at a community event

A nonprofit was hosting a gardening day near the Coliseum when someone used a drone to take a photo. Then the FBI arrived.
One US visa program is growing rapidly. No one is happy with it

Republicans on Capitol Hill are starting to talk about one facet of immigration reform: how to expand the popular H-2A visa program for farm laborers. They face obstacles.

Listen 4:15

Hey, LA listener!

Civics & Democracy